NEW BERLIN— The Town of New Berlin Police Department is making some positive changes it says will “provide professional police services” to residents and visitors of New Berlin.
Officer in Charge Andrew Wheatley said the department has hired two new police officers –one part-time and one full-time– as part of their mission to make an “operationally sound department that will provide adequate coverage.”
The newly-hired officer Richard Gorton started part-time on Oct. 1. He is also a part-time officer for the Village of Hamilton, the town where he grew up and has worked since 1993.
“I heard they were looking for help and had some spare time. I am still getting my feet wet and learning the area,” said Gorton. “There is a lot more area to cover in New Berlin than in Hamilton, but I like road patrol.”
Gorton also worked as a corrections officer from 1987 to 2011 for the Madison County Sheriff's Office. He has not only worked as an officer. Gorton said, “I have always been in emergency services.” He is a fifth generation firefighter and third generation fire chief. Gorton is the Morrisville Fire Department Chief, where he currently resides.
The officer and fire chief looks forward to getting to know New Berlin and its residents. He said, “I hope to meet people in pleasant circumstance. Feel free to stop by. I am glad to meet anybody."
The second officer hired, Anthony Grimes –who will become a full-time officer next year– is currently attending the Syracuse Police Academy. He began training there Aug. 25 of this year, and he is set to graduate sometime mid-February.
Grimes graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Geology from SUNY Oneonta. Wheatley said he was hired from an active civil servant list. “He's been involved in asset and loss prevention as an officer,” said Wheatley.
The officer-in-training will begin his 160 hours of field training with the department in mid-February after he graduates. Wheatley said he has already started familiarizing himself with the area.
“We are looking forward to Grimes' completion. We are also very happy to have these new people. We sought a new full-time position and the board was so supportive by helping create it,” said Wheatley.
Wheatley was directly involved in the hiring process. He said the officers went through extensive background and history checks. “We want to put the right person on the road, which is why we go to such great lengths to make sure we hire someone who is committed and mature,” added Wheatley.
The Officer in Charge said when hiring an officer, there needs to be a balance between someone who is actively involved in community policing, and someone who will proactively and aggressively enforce the law.
According to Wheatley, it is important for the officers to fit in with the department and the town, which he thinks is true for any agency looking to hire someone. The officers family members, neighbors and prior employers were checked. Not to mention, the physical and medical examinations and drug screenings.
“The Town of New Berlin Supervisor Robert Star and the other current board members have always supported the local police department. They want nothing but the best for those who live, work in and visit New Berlin. We appreciate their support,” said Wheatley.
Besides hiring new officers, Wheatley said the department is moving forward to deal with personnel issues they have struggled with and that beginning 2015 there will be a lot of changes to the department. “We want to provide professional police service to people of this town and increase coverage,” said Wheatley.
The New Berlin Police Department was recently trained by the Chenango County Sheriff's Office in administering Narcan. "We've reached out to other local law enforcement agencies and they have been very helpful," said Wheatley.
They have also continued the officer program at Unidilla Valley School that they started in 2013 for the 2014-2015 school year. School Resource Officer Michael Hilla provides a presence in the school to be role models for students, as well as provide a safe environment. He also works hand in hand with faculty and staff to “improve students' grades, attitude and attendance.”
The department also has an upcoming program in the works for the beginning of 2015 called “Coffee with a Cop.” The program involves the police officers hosting an informal meeting with citizens in a non-invasive environment.
“It's a place where police and community members come together in an informal and neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee,” said Wheatley.
Wheatley and other officers at the department want residents to know they are there for community members, which is why they are excited about the upcoming changes that will help them better serve.
“As cliché as it may sound, we are here to protect and serve and uphold the law. That's what we want to do here,” said Wheatley.
For more information, call the Town of New Berlin Police Department at 847-8900.